RPAS Application Form1. The Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) welcomes the operations of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems in Namibia. All efforts would be made to consider requests under the current regulatory framework contained in the Namibian Civil Aviation Regulations NAMCARS Part 101, in line with the provisions of the NCAA’s Directive appended below, providing for the operations of remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) called commonly "Drones" in Namibia. 2. In order to meet the regulatory requirements NAMCARS 101.00.2 and of the NCAA Directive xxx, a person operating a RPA System in Namibia shall have prior authorisation or Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Letter of Approval (RLA) or Operating Certificate (ROC) from the Executive Director before undertaking any flight operations. 3. No RPAS shall operate without carrying on his or her person at the time of operation, evidence of prior written approval by the persons, organisations or authorities exercising lawful jurisdiction over the affected area or activity.

Drones/UAS/RPAS Regulations and Guidance

1. The regulations has been evolving worldwide, the NCAA is also revising the current provision of the regulations to cater more comprehensively and distinctly for Commercial operations/Corporate/ Aerial work and Private operations. As it stands, in compliance o the Draft regulations NAMCARS 101.001 In order to meet the regulatory requirements NAMCARS 101.00.2 and of the NCAA Directive NCAA-05/RPAS/2017 , No person shall, operate without the prior approval of the Executive Director and under such conditions which the Executive Director may determine, operate a kite or a remotely piloted aircraft.

(a) higher than 150 feet above the surface; (b) within a published controlled zone, air traffic zone or air traffic area; (c) closer than five nautical miles from the boundary of an aerodrome

2. In addition to the current Regulations, additional safety provisions during operations of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS are being now considered by the NCAA.

When flying for Private, recreational use and fun and not commercially, or for any form of economic gain.

When flying for Commercial Operations or Aerial Work for economic gain.

3. These additional safety provision are published under the Directive NCAA-05/RPAS/2017 issued by the Executive Director pending the enactment and promulgation of the new amended draft NAMCARs 101. Application and Documents

Letter of Approval - Intended for Private and Recreational use 1. An applicant for a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) Letter of Approval (RLA) shall make an application for the initial authorisation at least 30 calendar days before the date of commencement, and 60 calendar days for foreign owners or operators. An applicant for the issue of a RLA must provide the Executive Director with:

(a) a formal application letter in a manner prescribed by the Executive Director prior to commencing operations. (b) the formal application letter shall outline the purpose of the application with a full description and duration of the intended operations together with any other information that the Applicant might consider to be helpful in support of the application. (Further Guidance is found in the Appendix to NCAA Advisory Pamphlet FSS-GEN-AP- RPA1/17); (c) A map indicating proposed areas of operations and co-ordinates. (d) A Risk Assessment and Safety Management plan for intended operations; (e) documentation regarding the standard to which the remotely piloted aircraft system was designed or equivalent documentation that demonstrates a level of safety or system safety acceptable to the Executive Director of the proposed operation; (f) Insurance Liability for any damage to third parties resulting from the operation of the RPAS (Insurance should be current and valid in Namibia; g) submit any additional documents the Executive Director considers necessary to ensure that the intended operations will be conducted safely; h) Copy of proof a payment of the prescribed application processing fees.

Operator Certificate - Intended for Commercial Operations or Aerial Work Use 1. An applicant for a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) for commercial, corporate, aerial work issuance of an operating certificate (ROC), including operations specifications shall make an application for the initial certificate at least 90 calendar days before the date of commencement, and 120 calendar days for foreign owners or operators. 2. An applicant for the issuance of a ROC or renewal or an amendments thereto must provide the Executive Director with-

(a) a formal application letter in a manner prescribed by the Executive Director prior to commencing operations. (b) the formal application letter shall outline the purpose of the application with a full description of commercial, corporate operation or aerial work activities of the intended operations together with any other information that the Applicant might consider to be helpful in support of the application. (a) an Air Service License (b) A copy of the certificate of registration of each remotely operated aircraft; (c) A copy of the remotely piloted aircraft Letter of Approval for each device to be operated; and (d) for initial issue , an original Operations Manual Prepared as prescribed in NCAA Directive and Advisory Pamphlet FSS-GEN-AP- RPA1/17);

Copy of proof a payment of the prescribed application processing fees. 3. No remotely aircraft shall be registered under more than one remotely piloted aircraft system operating certificate. 4. When the approval is granted by NCAA, following the internal review of your application, you shall also ensure of carrying at the time of operation, evidence of prior written approval by the persons, organisations or authorities exercising lawful jurisdiction over the affected area or activity, if applicable 5. Please also be advised, as part of the NCAA safety oversight activities, Non- Compliance with regulations and directives for remotely piloted aircraft operations in Namibia will be investigated and operators found to be in breach may be subject to enforcement actions. In addition, in the interest of flight safety, the NCAA may at any time cancel, suspend or revoke any Approvals/Authorizations or Certificate already granted. 6. When the approval is granted by NCAA, following the internal review of your application, you shall also ensure of carrying at the time of operation, evidence of prior written approval by the persons, organisations or authorities exercising lawful jurisdiction over the affected area or activity, if applicable 7. Please also be advised, as part of the NCAA safety oversight activities, Non- Compliance with regulations and directives for remotely piloted aircraft operations in Namibia will be investigated and operators found to be in breach may be subject to enforcement actions. In addition, in the interest of flight safety, the NCAA may at any time cancel, suspend or revoke any Approvals / Authorizations or Certificate already granted.

Authorisation and Safety requirements

1. When the approval is granted by NCAA, following the internal review of your application, you shall also ensure of carrying at the time of operation, evidence of prior written approval by the persons, organisations or authorities exercising lawful jurisdiction over the affected area or activity, if applicable. 2. A person operating a RPAS in Namibia shall:

(a) not operate in weather conditions that do not allow unobstructed visual contact to be maintained with the RPAS by other airspace users and by the operator; (b) not operate in controlled airspace, except by the holder of ROC and as approved by the Director in the operator’s Operations Manual; (c) not operate within 5 nautical miles of any restricted area; (d) not fly over an assembly of people; (e) not operate closer than the 50 metres to any person or property (vehicles, vessels or structures), roads that is not under the control of the person operating the aircraft; (f) not use a public road as a place of landing or take-off of an RPA, except when involved in civil defense or law-enforcement operations, with a proper authorisation, and provided that at all times reasonable care is taken to ensure the safety of persons and property on the ground; (g) not operate in a negligent or reckless manner so as to endanger the safety of any person, property or other aircraft in the air or on the ground; (h) no object or substance shall be released, dispensed, dropped, delivered or deployed from a RPAS except by the holder of an ROC and as approved by the Director in the operators ‘Operations Manual (i) not operate within 5 nautical miles of gazetted National Parks or Game Reserves unless approved for the specific flight or series of flights by the Director and the relevant national agency; (j) not operate the RPA outside visual line-of-sight unless specifically approved by the Director; (k) report any accidents, incidents or airspace violations without unreasonable delay to the Director and in any case not later than 72 hours after the occurrence; (l) not carry dangerous goods as cargo, except by the Holder of an ROC and as approved by the Director in the operation manual. (m) not operate across the territory of another State, without special authorisation issued by the Director and by the appropriate authorities of the other State.

2. Please also be advised, as part of the NCAA safety oversight activities, Non- Compliance with regulations and directives for remotely piloted aircraft operations in Namibia will be investigated and operators found to be in breach may be subject to enforcement actions. In addition, in the interest of flight safety, the NCAA may at any time cancel, suspend or revoke any Approvals/Authorizations or Certificate already granted.

Application Fees

1. Proof of Payment of NAD 1,200.00 (One Thousand Two Hundred) Namibian dollars, being processing fees for Private and Recreational use and NAD 4,500.00 (Four Thousand Five Hundred) for Commercial and Aerial work use.Bank detail are as indicated below.

This Q&A information has been developed by the NCAA to provide users with useful information regarding the use of RPAS commonly call drones in Namibia. (To access the click here). Advisory circulars providing detailed information on types of operations RPAS definitions and abbreviations - (To access the click here). <<LINK>>

RPAS Notification System

You can notify NCAA of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) operations you believe may have breached civil aviation safety regulations online. Please note, safety breaches can only be investigated where there is sufficient evidence, such as photos or video recordings of the breach and the person controlling the RPA at the time. Online unsafe RPAS operations complaint form.

Privacy concerns and NCAA role

There are potential privacy issues in operating RPAs. However, NCAA’s ' role is restricted to aviation safety - privacy is not in our remit. The principal area of the Namibia Government concerned with privacy is the Ministry Safety and Security. In addition to anti-stalking laws that may apply to the operation of surveillance RPASs in some circumstances.

RPAS Safety - Dos and Don'ts

As part of the RPAS Safety awareness campaign, the NCAA has created this poster that outlines the 11 key things that you should NEVER do when operating your RPAS. (To access the Form click here) <<LINK>>